High Places

Her first day started like any other. Haley walked in, the students got to know her with a little game she and Mrs. Heather, the lead teacher, designed a few days ago. The students seemed to really enjoy her presence.

At lunch, however, something went terribly awry. The principal, whom she’d only spoken to briefly over the phone to, called her down to his office. She didn’t believe she’d done anything wrong and figured it was just introductions, but still, she was worried.

As she walked into the office, the front desk lady greeted her. “Oh! You just be the new TA! Hi, I’m Olivia,” she spoke. Haley thought she looked way too young to be an office lady, unlike the other ones she had previously.

“That’s me! Haley,” she offered out a hand towards Heather, which was graciously shook. “Alright, now where is Mr. Johnson’s office?”

“Right that way,” Olivia pointed down a hallway with only one room, the principals, at the end.

‘Oddly secluded,’ she noted, but didn’t pay it too much mind.

As she walked away, Haley could’ve sworn she heard Olivia snickered, but she brushed it off as the wind or something.

The room was a standard office (just imagine one, lol) and in it, Mr. Johnson was sat at a desk, staring at her. He was waiting for her arrival.

“Ah! Haley! Just the TA I was looking to meet,” Mr. Johnson spoke as he got up, walking around the desk and pulling back the chair for her. “Here, take a seat.”

She followed, while Mr. Johnson closed the door and- did she hear it lock? ‘Must’ve imagined it’.

Mr. Johnson totally locked it.

“So, how’s the first day going?” He asked, going to his seat and sitting, facing her.